Broadcasting
BBA 4: A Revolution in Reality TV Hits Screen
“Everyone who passes through this door brings happiness, some by entering, some by leaving.” (Words on the door of the Big Brother house).
The long awaited ‘Big Brother Africa 4: The Revolution’ hit the screen on Sunday September 6, and was welcome with excitement across the continent and beyond. This time it has taken various dimensions and twists, leaving viewers on edge while they yearn for more drama and intrigue on the show which can well be classified as a thriller!
The revolution has taken a course, manifesting on September 6th when the Big Brother house was unveiled and the housemates admitted. The house is an architectural masterpiece on the cutting-edge of avant garde; a technological accomplishment which includes over 14,000 metres of cabling – renovating and rebuilding the existing structure took 70,000 bricks, 6 tonnes of cement and 4 tonnes of structural and reinforcing steel!
Polished stainless steel elements sit alongside warm wood tones and rugged stone, whilst canvas drawn paintings share space comfortably with unique graffiti artwork. Bold colours against a backdrop of neutrals provide key focal points throughout the house while wide open spaces allow for a feeling of space and tranquility. Add one gleaming kitchen which could be termed a chef’s dream, with all the modern conveniences, plus an open plan lounge accentuated in leather and luxurious throws, and the house fuses classic design ethics with a fun, easygoing twist.
Other rooms include an elegant bathroom, dormitory styled bedroom, polished dark wood dining area, and the always powerful diary room, which hovers between stern and soothing – the feathery cover of the “hot seat” makes you want to sink further but the framework allows no room for comfort. Meanwhile outside, a decked patio offers cool comfort while the lush garden is offset by the sparkling plunge pool, which is every good diver’s delight (from first-hand experience).
According to Biola Alabi, managing director, M-Net Africa, “whilst this is the Big Brother house, we understand that it’s also home to our housemates so we wanted a space where they would feel welcome, relaxed and at ease. It’s challenging to be in the Big Brother house and the aim with this season was to provide an oasis, to make the house as pleasant on the eye and as accessible as possible. The vision of the show’s design team was clear from the start and, with their creativity and passion, they have made it reality.”
In this revolutionary season of Big Brother Africa, there are 100 microphones and 40 cameras, including manned, remote and miniature ‘lipstick’ cameras, at work.
At the inauguration of BBA 4: The Revolution, DStv viewers across Africa witnessed curious happenings in the Big Brother house. First was the admittance of four ‘mystery guests’ who got viewers thinking the real housemates had arrived. Then came a bout of shock – only male contestants were going to be in the house! Just when everyone was grumbling about the lack of female presence, the host IK Osakioduwa announced that the female housemates were going to be joining them the upper week, much to the relief of the viewers who could not imagine a groovy Big Brother house without African beauties.
Another twist in the entire ‘maze’ was the presentation of two identical twin brothers, Edward and Erastus Mongoo from Namibia, as housemates. But their identities were going to be hidden in the house, and both stand to be evicted should their cover be blown by three housemates. In other words, they both will be existing as an individual, at least from the housemates’ perception.
Within the first 24 hours, the wind of eviction had begun to blow. Big Brother told the housemates in the Diary Room that they had to nominate people for eviction, much to everyone’s surprise. When the confusion had cleared up, Edward had received the most nominations – 6, followed by Hannington and Kaone with 5 apiece. The housemates struggled to recall everyone’s names as they stumbled through the nomination process, shocked at the prospect of losing their newfound friends so soon. The nominations also brought discussions of alliances to the fore, with conspiracy allowed for the first time in the Big Brother competition.
The general format of Big Brother provides interesting demographic and sociological perspectives on human behaviour. Confining 14 people from different backgrounds and countries, with the only connection being the English language, to a house for three months, they are forced to interact with one another. Living together under continuous observation, the programme relies on four basic props for providing these perspectives: the stripped-bare back-to-basics environment in which they live; the evictions; the weekly tasks set by Big Brother and the Diary Room in which the housemates individually convey their thoughts, feelings, frustrations and of course their nominees for eviction. Forced to live with total strangers for three months, Big Brother helps viewers see how people react when they are removed from their usual environment and placed among total strangers. Without the aid of cameras and microphones and the television and the internet, it is not normally possibly to observe such interactions vividly. But with the aid of technology, insights are gained into the motivations and actions of people when removed from their comfort zones and forced to put up with strangers for a lengthy period of time.
BBA housemates this season are drawn from Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Ethiopia – a collection of diverse people from countries with different cultures, creating a melting pot of personalities, tempers, and ambitions.
This time you vote to keep your favourite contestants in the house, and not otherwise as in previous seasons. You can do this via www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother, via the www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother WAP site on your WAP-enabled phone or via MXIT; and also by texting your favourite housemate’s name to the appropriate number. To vote via text message, send the word ‘Vote ‘followed by the name of your favourite housemate to 34350 for MTN, 34350 for Zain, 34701 for ZOOMmobile, 3435 and 34701 for Glo. Each SMS costs N75, and you can vote 100 times by text per mobile number during each voting period.
Broadcasting
What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.

Adekunle Gold
Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.
While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.
The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.
From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.
This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.
His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.
For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.
As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.
Head to gathering.com to register.
Broadcasting
INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.
He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to political broadcasting. Politics
He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.
Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.
Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.
He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.
While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.
He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.
The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.
These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.
Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics
To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.
He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.
Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.
He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.
He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.
Broadcasting
Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.
After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.
MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO, hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.
The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.
MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.
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